On the beat in Victoria Street: Sgt James Priest, left, and PC Andy Du Four. (0710841)

ALDERNEY’S new police sergeant is planning to tackle the island’s crime issues by interacting with the community. Sgt James Priest arrived in the Channel Islands a week ago and started work on the same day as another new recruit, PC Andy Du Four.

The pair spoke at length to the Guernsey Press about their reasons for relocating to Alderney and their plans for tackling crime in the island.

Sgt Priest, who has moved from Northern Ireland with his partner Sara, said islanders had reacted positively to his arrival.

‘Since I arrived, the reaction from everybody has been superb. I made a point of telling people what I’m here for and the response has been great so far.’

And Sgt Priest, who worked in his hometown of Sunderland and neighbouring Newcastle for 30 years before spending three months in Ulster, already feels settled in the northern isle.

‘I’ve noticed that people here make a point of speaking to you, which is really good. I already think I’ve got a good feel for the place.’

PC Du Four, who has moved to the Channel Islands from Blackpool with his fiancee Alex and one-year-old daughter Amelia, said: ‘Alderney’s a lovely place. The atmosphere is great and I can’t get over the friendliness of the people.

‘This is a career and life move for me. In Blackpool if you make eye contact with someone they want to punch you – here people say hello and are smiling.

‘Alderney is a much more pleasant place to bring up a child and is similar to Lytham – another place I have worked. Lytham also has a small community and I got to know everybody when I worked there. I much prefer the personal treatment and think it will be similar here – though on an even smaller scale.’

Sgt Priest, who takes over from Jeff Hill, said he had moved to Alderney for a challenge.

‘I like difficult tasks. It’s totally different to what I am used to but I have a lot of experience and believe I’ll adapt quickly.’

Making contact with as many islanders as possible is Sgt Priest’s immediate priority.

‘I intend to speak to people and work with everybody, as I believe it’s the right thing to do here. My aim is to make the police here be seen as part of the community and, eventually, create Team Alderney. It’s important that we get the whole island working together.’

PC Du Four said residents’ concerns in Alderney are similar to those in England.

‘Fundamentally the concerns aren’t that different – though the extremes are taken away. Hopefully there won’t be any murders or massive robberies here.’

One of Sgt Priest’s first tasks will be to reduce the amount of criminal damage in the island.

He said: ‘There’s too much criminal damage here. More than 60 cases were recorded last year, which averages out at more than one a week. The damage it does to people’s property is bad enough but these incidents also have a major impact on those affected, such as the elderly and make them feel unsafe.’

Building up relationships with youngsters in the island is just one of Sgt Priest’s strategies for tackling the number of cases.

‘We’ll get into the schools and build up relationships,’ he said. ‘We’ll also get involved in organised youth activities, look at the information we receive and come up with the best strategy for the island.’

Sgt Priest went on to list his dislikes.

‘My pet hates are litter, anti-social behaviour and bad manners. My main message to youngsters will be that we have a beautiful island here, so let’s respect it.’

He said he appreciated that people are reassured when they see policemen walking the streets.

‘People prefer to see policemen on the beat. I have worked on some hard council estates and even there the fact you’re on foot makes such a difference. Here we can put people out on the beat and we intend to do that as much as possible.’